Top 6 Food and Drink Destinations of 2018
2018 was the inaugural year for My SOUTHERN Brand, and I must say that this year was nothing short of amazing. My experiencing Houston’s diverse food scene allowed me to build relationships, try different cuisines, learn about different cultures, and advertise food establishments’ great foods and drinks! I was able to step away from my comfort to taste foods that I’ve never tried. This year, every restaurant I’d patronized was off the charts, and it was very hard for me to compose a non-ranked list of just a few places that I absolutely loved. However, I was able to get through the intensity of composing this post. Let me take you on journey to 6 of my favorite food and drink destinations in 2018…
Nyammings Fusion Bistro
Just imagine the curry, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice in Jamaican food mixed with the okra, tomatoes, and Creole spices in Creole food. Nyammings Fusion Bistro, located in Westchase at the corner of Briar Forest Drive and Wilcrest Drive, excels at fusing such cuisines together. At Nyammings, which is owned by Vic, my favorite dishes are the Jamaican oxtails and the Jamaican curry chicken.
First, the oxtails ($15.95), which are serviced with rice & peas, are out of this world; these are THE best oxtails I’ve ever had! They are slow braised with lima beans in a flavorful and lightly spiced gravy. The tender meat literally falls off the bone. Being from the country, I know how to leave the bone with no meat left; I always suck the meat right off the bone because the bone is seasoned too. Also, the rice & peas IS NOT dry like at several other Caribbean restaurants; having the similar taste and being similarly prepared to red beans and rice, the rice & peas is cooked using coconut milk, which gives it a slight milky taste.
Second, the Jamaican curry chicken ($12.95) is just as good as the oxtails. Served with rice & peas, steamed cabbage, and plantains, the chicken is very flavorful; the curry chicken, which is cooked in West Indian curry, is seasoned just right, and just like the oxtails, the meat falls RIGHT off the bone. Of course, the rice & peas is no different from oxtails meal. However, the cabbage is very soft and reminds me of my grandma’s cabbage back in Alabama; I can sit and eat a bowl of Vic’s cabbage all day. Also, the plantains are sweet and are better when consumed with the rice & peas.
Lastly, I enjoy Vic’s famous rum punch; from the pineapple juice to the orange juice to the variety of rum, everything is blended to perfection. With my being a daiquiri head, all I can think about is how even more amazing the drink would be, if it was a daiquiri. LOL. As a result of the greatness, Nyammings gets 5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) from me, and is one of my favorite restaurants in Houston!
Neyow’s Creole Café
Neyow’s Creole Café, a popular mom-and-pop Creole restaurant from New Orleans, is located along Houston’s popular Richmond Strip among several ethnic restaurants, patio bars, and strip clubs. The restaurant is a huge beige building that’s accompanied with sufficient parking, both regular and valet. Inside, the space is very wide and seats plenty; the maroon colored walls are decorated with festive Mardi Gras beads and cultural decorations, New Orleans Saints pieces, and other decorations that are reminiscent of the Gulf Coast region. Owned by the lovely and friendly, Mrs. Tanya Dubuclet, Neyow’s Creole Café is a family-run restaurant that is big on customer service and building relationships; great customer service is right up my alley. The New Orleans hospitality is second to none and keeps people like me going back to get spoiled by the warm atmosphere.
Here, I love the “Seafood Platter,” which includes farm raised catfish, fried shrimp, fried oysters, a stuffed crab, and two sides. The huge catfish fillet is seasoned well with Creole seasonings and it is perfectly and softly fried without being too greasy. Next, the platter comes with about 6 jumbo shrimp that is fried with similar seasonings as the fried catfish. Furthermore, the fried oysters are plentiful, including about 9 within the platter; they are chewy, and again, they are seasoned with the same Creole seasonings as the fish and shrimp. Not only are the aforementioned three items great, but the stuffed crab is also awesome; the stuffed crab is was really moist and reminds me of a soft salmon croquette but with crab meat. Also, I choose French fries, my favorite sides, and red beans and rice for my sides. The French fries are hot, crispy, and plentiful; they are literally served as a huge bed for the meats of the platter. The red beans and rice is very flavorful; the sausage offering is pretty hefty, which is important when consuming red beans and rice.
Wait, there’s more! I love the filé gumbo, smothered okra with rice, and Neyow’s famous dish, char-grilled oysters. The filé gumbo is outstanding; it tastes just like the gumbo from your grandmother's house during the holidays. It is prepared with shrimp, crabs, smoked sausage, ham and Creole seasoning and was served over white rice. The smothered okra with rice is pretty good; it reminds me of the gumbo texture-wise, but it has the kind of flavor you would want to have with your fried chicken. The Parmesan garlic char-grilled oysters are nothing short of amazing; they are super buttery and garlicky from the garlic butter. The French bread that accompanies the oysters is perfect as I dip it into the garlic butter.
In conclusion, the “Seafood Platter” is a whopping $21.50! On any given day, the filé gumbo is $6.oo a cup and $9.00 a bowl, the smothered okra (a Friday special) is $10.75, and the char-grilled oysters are $11.99 for 6 and $19.99 for 12. Oh yes, Neyow’s gets 5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) from me!
Wing Quarter: Daiquiris & Creole Kitchen
In Houston's famous Third Ward, the restaurant is my go-to spot; it is located off Old Spanish Trail (OST) in a newly constructed restaurant plaza and is surrounded by heavy-hitting black restaurants and eateries like Ray's BBQ Shack and Sugar Rush. I’ve been here several times because the food is addictive. Normally, I get the “Canal Street Special.” This meal, named after the popular street in New Orleans, includes 10 fried shrimps that are drenched in a homemade sweet and sour sauce, a side of seasoned fries (or dirty rice), and a cornbread muffin. Lying on top of the fries, the golden brown fried shrimp is crispy but is not fried too hard. Also, the fries are seasoned with Cajun spices and are hot and fresh. Next, the cornbread muffin is sweet and soft and adds versatility to the meal, which costs about $14.75. Lastly, if you’re feeling a little extra, then get a daiquiri!
Furthermore, I’m a HUGE fan of the boudin balls. If you don't now what boudin balls are, then think of soft Cajun-style hush-puppies; they contain a mixture of uncased boudin sausage and dirty rice rolled into floured balls and coated with bread crumbs. I've consumed boudin balls before, but Wing Quarter's are made with love, and I get them every time I eat there. The boudin balls are served with remoulade sauce, which is a concoction of Creole mustard, ketchup, mayo, and other spices. Talm bout good eatin’!
Last but not least, Wing Quarter's daiquiris, which are $7.00, are out of this world. They have 3 flavors: Crazy Cajun Colada, Gator Rita, and New Orleans Hurricane. I always get the Cajun Colada and New Orleans Hurricane mixture, which leaves me feeling kinda LIT. Wing Quarter is definitely the move before you head out for a night on the town, and because it’s always the move for me, I give it 5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️).
MediGrill
Conveniently located in South Union, MediGrill, a hole-in-the-wall, can’t be missed with it’s bright yellow sign. Mou, the friendly owner from Egypt, takes his time to explain the menu to patrons; he will help you to make the best food decision. The food, with its huge portions and cheap prices, is more than what is anticipated. My favorite meals include the NYC Gyro over Rice, the fried catfish, and the Chicken Shawarma Wrap.
Starting with the NYC Gyro over Rice ($6.99), this meal includes seasoned gyro atop flavorful yellow rice with a side of a fresh salad and hummus. The gyro is very plentiful and successfully compliments the yellow rice, which is moist and flavored well. Next, Medi Grill has some of the best fried catfish (prices may vary) I’ve ever had in Houston; the fish is seasoned and crispy and reminds me of the fish my grandma cooks on “Fish Fry Fridays” back in Alabama. Lastly, my favorite choice is the Chicken Shawarma Wrap ($5.99) with a side of fries; I really like to include extra fries inside of the wrap, similarly to how it's eaten on the streets of the Mediterranean. The wrap includes thinly sliced cuts of seasoned chicken, hummus, pickles, tahini, onions, and other types of vegetables rolled into a large piece of flatbread.
Medi Grill is where it's at: big portions, cheap prices, convenient location, and great customer service! All in all, I give this special place 5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)!
Crumbville, TX
The treats here are banging! This little shop is located in Third Ward across from Emancipation Park and holds a special place in my heart with its cookies, cupcakes, and brownies.
Let me start off with the cookies. Ms Ella, the owner, is the cookie connoisseur; several of her cookies are vegan. Peanut Butter Snicker Crunch. Peachy-cob-a-licious. Lemon Blueberry. Cookie Minaj (strawberry oatmeal and white chocolate chips). Cole World (lemon dough, white chocolate, and mint). Chocolate Chip. All cookies are great, but my favorite one is the vegan chocolate chip cookie; this is my go-to cookie. It tastes just like a “regular” chocolate chip cookie but better; it’s very moist and soft. It seems so buttery, but it’s not, obviously. My mind wanted to tell me that it was nasty because it’s vegan, but my taste buds didn’t allow that to happen. The taste is indescribable.
Furthermore, the cupcakes, or stuffedcups, are not your average cupcakes; each stuffedcup has a cookie baked into it at the bottom. I really love the Vanilla Stuffedcup with a chocolate chip pecan cookie, which was not vegan; it was very tasty. The cookie at the bottom is really good too. Also, there are chocolate chips and pecans sprinkled atop. My favorite part of the stuffedcup is the vanilla icing. I don’t know what she puts into that icing, but whatever it is should continue to be apart of the stuffedcup’s eating experience.
Last but not least, a complimentary almond milk shot can be accommodated with each treat. Sounds delicious right? This woman always has something up her sleeves! I love everything about this place. The location. The prices. The desserts. The vibes. The space. From a price perspective, all cookies and stuffedcups are $5.50. On Sundays, she hosts Happy Hour, where all desserts are $4.00. Crumbville, TX does not break the bank, especially on Sundays. Ms. Ella continues to create new flavors in her commercial kitchen; her new sweet potato pie cookie is the bomb! Not only does she bake small treats, she bakes cakes for special occasions. She’s literally the G.O.A.T.! Because of her greatness, I have to give Crumbville, TX 5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️); it’s my favorite dessert spot in Houston!
Daiquiris 2 Go
The Southwest side of town is a popular destination for “daiquiri heads” like me. Daiquiris 2 Go is special to me because the owner is from the great state of Alabama. Juanita Jackson, an attorney on the former Houston-based reality show (Sisters in Law), and her kids, who help manage the shop, are very welcoming and have GREAT customer service. The space is really clean and bright, and it’s a place where friends can get together, while drinking, to play games like Spades, Uno, Dominoes, etc.; they, also, serve Cajun-style food on certain occasions. Chris, one of the owner’s kids, and Raven, an alumnus of Alabama A&M University, are my favorite mixers and always take great care of me.
Now, let’s move on to my daiquiri of choice. My favorite drink to get from here is the “Mary J,” which includes green apple and piña colada. The daiquiri is sour from the green apple but is creamy from the piña colada. I normally get the regular size, which is $5; if I’m feeling a little adventurous, then I’ll get an extra shot of a neutral-based rum, which is the base for all of the daiquiris, for $1. The daiquiri, which is composed of real fruit juice, is strong but not overwhelming. However, it will have you feeling great!
Daiquiris 2 Go, my go-to D-Shop, gets 5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) from me! If I could give it a solid 10, then I would!
Thank y’all for the support thus far; I really appreciate the feedback, engagement, and commentary.
2018 has proven that Houston’s food scene is second to none, so I know 2019 has more in store for My SOUTHERN Brand. Next year, I can’t wait to share with y’all the best that Houston has to offer! Stay tuned!